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9/11 trial hearing delayed due to tech glitches

In response to defense complaints about computer failures and alleged breaches of confidentiality, a military judge has postponed pretrial for almost two months a pretrial hearing session in the military commission case against the alleged September 11 conspirators, a defense lawyer said Wednesday.

"The judge ruled that the defense request is reasonable on its face and that the interests of justice are served by granting a continuance and those interests outweigh the best interests of the public and the accused in a prompt trial," Navy Commander Walter Ruiz said in a defense statement.

The hearing, set to begin next Monday, was postponed to June 17, Ruiz said. The military commission case charges five Guantanamo prisoners, including alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, with war crimes in connection with the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Last week, Army Col. James Pohl—who serves as military judge in the 9/11 case and another stemming from the attack on the U.S.S. Cole in 2000—also delayed a hearing session in the Cole case for two months.

A Pentagon spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.